As part of its work to promote equality and understanding across the borough, Knowsley Council is marking the month with a programme of events and activity.

Call out for stories and experiences

To launch the month Knowsley Archives is encouraging residents from the borough’s diverse communities to come forward with stories of their own experiences, their achievements and any documentation or photos which they would be willing to deposit for the benefit of future generations.

If you have a story to share with Knowsley Archives, please email infoheritage@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4291/ 4365 and the friendly staff will be happy to help.

Inspiring Black entrepreneurship

The council’s role in encouraging and facilitating black entrepreneurship in Knowsley, will be highlighted on Tuesday 18 October at an event in Huyton Library from 5pm to 8.30pm.

Black owned businesses will be showcased, and Charles Otim from North Mersey Business Centre will speak about the ‘Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurship in Knowsley’ and the support available from agencies including Knowsley Council Business Growth Team and Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.

As part of the event, Huyton Library will live stream The British Library’s ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Black creatives – Building the Black economy’ session and its live follow-up discussion on community building with Black Pound Day founder and So Solid Crew member, Swiss.

If you would like to attend the Knowsley’s Black Entrepreneurship event at Huyton Library please email: jack.newsham@knowsley.gov.uk.

Diverse communities celebrated

Later in the month ‘Different Voices – Shared Lives’, an incredible collection of writing by members of black, Asian and other racial minority communities from across the Liverpool City Region, including Knowsley, will launch at a special event in Liverpool Central Library on 27 October at 6pm.

Participants in Knowsley took part in a series of creative writing workshops with writer, Natalie Denny, at Kirkby Library, creating work which placed their diverse voices at the forefront.

These stories, along with those of participants from Halton, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral will be showcased at the event in Liverpool Central Library. To book to attend this free event please register through Eventbrite.

Meanwhile, a multicultural celebration is planned in Huyton Library on the afternoon of Friday 28 October. Families for whom English is not their first language have been invited to share their heritage through their music and dance and traditional food, providing an opportunity to highlight some of the diverse communities within Knowsley.

Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: 

 “Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many contributions made by Black people in Britain – but it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about one month.

 

“We are proud to support Black people and promote equality in Knowsley in many ways; from cultural programmes curating unique stories and experiences to supporting Black  entrepreneurship and reflecting on and understanding the impact of Black history so that in the future residents of any ethnicity are respected and able to thrive.”

 The World Reimagined

Black History Month is a great time to visit Court Hey Park in Huyton and view the huge globe sculpture on display as part of the national art education project, The World Reimagined.

Available until 31 October and part of a public art trail, the installation is one of 10 large globe structures located around the City Region which aim to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact.

In addition to the large sculpture at Court Hey Park, smaller sculptures painted by Knowsley school pupils and youth groups are on display at the Culture Hub in Huyton.

Knowsley’s participation in The World Reimagined forms part of the borough’s wider programme of events for its year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.

Paying tribute to Her Majesty, Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Eddie Connor, said: “Whilst the entire country unites in its grief, we reflect on the Queen’s many years of dedication and service. The longest reigning monarch in our history, she was a truly inspirational woman and an internationally admired figurehead. She will be sadly missed by many and not just those who had the privilege to meet her during her life.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is an incredibly sad moment in the history of this country and a moment that we will be very unlikely to forget.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a truly remarkable individual who led this country with dedication and professionalism for the last 70 years.  She dedicated her life to public service and her leadership and dignity will be greatly missed.

“I know that I speak for many people when I share my deep condolences with her family at this time and I send my thoughts to everyone who has been impacted by her life and her death.”

As a mark of respect, the Union Flag is being flown at half mast at Huyton Municipal Buildings, the Kirkby Centre and Prescot Registry, and the Greystone Bridge over the M62 will be illuminated in purple during the official period of mourning.

Sign a book of condolence

An online book of condolence has also been opened by the Royal Household.

People living and working in Knowsley may wish to sign a local Book of Condolence. These will be available at the Registrars Office in Prescot as well as in all Knowsley libraries. You can also sign Knowsley’s Online Book of Condolence.

Floral tributes and donations

Anyone wishing to leave a floral tribute can do so at any of the following civic venues:

• Cenotaph at Huyton Municipal Buildings
• Knowsley Village Memorial Cross
• Cenotaph at St Mary’s Church, Prescot
• Cenotaph on Smithy Lane, Cronton
• Cenotaph at the Kirkby Centre
• The small field adjacent to the Cenotaph at St Nicholas Church, Halewood – currently housing an Edward Lear cat sculpture.

Anyone leaving floral tributes is respectfully asked to ensure that the flowers are not wrapped in plastic or paper, and that they are placed in designated areas only. Flowers left in other areas of the borough may be relocated to one of the official sites.

Floral tributes will remain in situ until the day after the funeral, after which time they will be removed. Flowers will be composted. Please note, cards and any gifts which are left will not be kept after removal.

Proclamation event

The formal Proclamation of the new King was made for Knowsley by Cllr Eddie Connor, Mayor of Knowsley. This took place on Sunday, 11 September outside Huyton Municipal Building.

The Proclamation is the formal ceremony by which people in the borough are officially notified of the reign of our new King. You can read more about Knowsley’s Proclamation event here.

Local church services

A Requiem Mass for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II takes place on Tuesday, 13 September at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, starting at 7pm. And on Sunday, 18 September there will be a Service of Celebration for the Life of Her Majesty at Liverpool Cathedral at 3pm. Both events are open to the public.

In Knowsley, a Commemorative Service of Thanksgiving led by the Council’s Chaplain, Reverend Canon Malcolm Rogers MBE, takes place on Sunday 18 September at 6pm at Prescot Parish Church.

Other churches in Knowsley may also be holding special services. Please check with your local church for details.

State Funeral arrangements

It has now been confirmed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place on Monday, 19 September. This day will be a Bank Holiday and therefore, council offices will be closed. You will still be able to access all the council’s online services on its website at www.knowsley.gov.uk.

Due to the Bank Holiday, there will be some changes to bin collections which would usually take place on Monday – instead, you are asked to put your bin out for collection from this Saturday morning (September 17).

Council services during the national period of mourning

The meeting of Knowsley Council’s Inclusive Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee, which was due to take place on Tuesday, 13 September, has been cancelled, as a mark of respect.

In addition, the scheduled Governance & Audit and Health Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday, 19 September will also not go ahead, as a mark of respect.

More information will follow soon. 

Life Rooms, a service run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, supports people in dealing with social factors that can impact their health and is available in the borough’s five libraries (from Tuesday 30 August).

Whatever issue you might be facing; from housing and employment to lifestyle or exercise, Life Rooms can help you to take your next steps towards a healthier life.

The friendly Life Rooms team offers face-to-face support and can signpost users to further help and support.

Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Health, said: “Many people will experience some low level mental health problems at some point in their lives, such as stress, worry, and anxiety.

“Good mental health and wellbeing helps us to build resilience to cope with life’s ups and downs, so I’m delighted Knowsley residents who may be struggling will now be able to access practical, face-to-face support in Knowsley’s libraries from Life Rooms.”

Cllr Jayne Aston, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Resources, added: “Our libraries are welcoming and accessible community facilities, providing a gateway to a wide range of council and other services, information and opportunities for all. The launch of Life Rooms will be a valuable addition to the mental health and wellbeing support which can be accessed through the libraries.”

Life Rooms will be available in Knowsley’s libraries, during usual branch opening hours on the following days, from 10am to 4pm:

• Halewood Library: Mondays
• Huyton Library: Tuesdays
• Prescot Library: Wednesdays
• Stockbridge Village Library: Thursdays
• Kirkby Library: Fridays

Visit Life Rooms’ website for more information about their support.

The programme is expected to start in early September and run through to December. Residents are advised that boosters will only be available via a booked appointment and those eligible should wait to be contacted and invited by the NHS.

Each of the following cohorts will be eligible for an autumn booster (no less than 3 months after their previous dose):

• Residents and staff in a care homes
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All adults aged 50 years and over
• People aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
• People aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• People aged 16 to 49 years who are carers

Residents should not attend any of the vaccination clinics for an autumn booster until invited to do so as they will not be able to get a vaccination.

Further information will be available in due course.

Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Health, said: “With life being back to normal and media coverage reduced, it is easy to think that COVID-19 has gone away. However, that is not the case.

“Ahead of the colder months, it is very important that those in high-risk groups and carers boost their protection against virus. Vaccination remains the best way for us to protect ourselves and those around us.”